Weather hits crops, washes out roads

The Rio Grande National Forest has placed warning signs in dangerous areas to let recreationalists know what they are stepping into.
Courier file photo by Lauren Krizansky

Courier staff writer

VALLEY — A mix of precipitation this month left its mark on the Valley.

Producers across the counties took a fair beating from hail storms early last week, said San Luis Valley Colorado State University Area Extension Director Marvin Reynolds Wednesday in a phone interview. Wheat, alfalfa and potato fields northwest of Monte Vista, and crops on Rio Grande County Road 4 North up to Highway 112 and from Highway 285 to Rio Grande County Road 6 West suffered damages.

“The wind laid the potato plants over and knocked the leaves off,” Reynolds said. “Some growers don’t think they are going to get them back.”